The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-04-21
Southwest Virginia.

Southwest Virginia.
The Baltimore MalasJacturer's Record
classification to the want Of buildings at
some of the booming" towns sof the
South. 1t quotes from a Decatur, Ala,
paper to the effect that 1000 new buildings
are needed there to accommodate the in
coming population. When in Pulaski,
Va, a few weeks ago, an intelligent gen.
tleman there, who is thoroughly familiar
with the wants of that section, and ac-
ouainted with the influences operating,
stated that if there were adequate build
ings available, the population now about
500 would not be less than 1000. There
were then at that point no individual con-
tractors with capital sufficient to engage
in building on an enlarged scale. Thetwo
Land Companies expected to commence
constructing houses in short time. In
fact. one of them had arranged with a
Lynchburg firm to put up dozen
houses in short time, and would erect in
all about 45 as soon as possible. The 9TH
er company expected in &C days to enter
upon the work of building, SO as to ac-
commodate those coming in who might
desire to take up their residence or en-
gage in business. OF course this boom
at Pulaski is in it's infancy, and compare
lively little has been said about it-not
enough to attract the attention Of contrac-
tors and workmen. 1t will not be long,
however, before this condition of things
will change. Enterprising men will take
hold and lay plant that will meet the
demand for dwellings and business houses
which is certain to come, when the assnr
ance is given that it will be supplied. The
fact is. population cannot be kept away
| from Southwest Virginia. If the build
ings are not furnished by the people there,
it will, as soon as the weather will admit,
appeal to tents for accommodation But,
we expect. before this necessity occurs,
tt at contractors will seize upon the oppor-
tunity to make good thing for them
selves as we'll as the embryo city. The
lumber for the few buildings that were
going up was shipped from Chattanooga.
while all around is as fine timber for build
ing supplies as ever grew. 1t looks like
carrying coal to New Castle to order
lumber to lumber region from another
State and distance of several hundred
miles. 1t only shows the prlm tive Gus
toms which yet prevail in this region OF
country. It has within itself the wealth
of an empire, and what is better the
means and the enterprise are coming in TO
develop and utilize it. We believe that
there has more capital gone into South
west Virginia within the past two years
without any blowing about it, than has
been located in the same time in both the
} Chattanooga and Birmingham districts. :
The vast coal and iron deposits which
abound there have been taken up either by
J direct purchase or on options to purchase
l. by some of the wealthiest syndicates thai
have ever been organized in this country
to say nothing of the Investments Of
, wealthy citizens on their individual &C
count. The movements in this direction
, have been quiet, without sensational her
!, aldry or pretentious display, but none TIL
Hess solid and comprehensive because O.
r the conservative methods which have gov
7 erned. Railroads are being constructed il
] every direction to tap the mineral fields
5 and as transportation is furnished mining
: operations are enlarged, labor employed
: money paid out, and wealth becoming dill
$ fused. With such bed rock conditions
D not only will buildings go up and popula
: ton come IN, but factories and furnace
t and industries of every description, re
Q lated to such enterprises, will be inaugur
9 ated and established. AS was remarked
S to us by an old and experienced iron NAL
: of Pennsylvania, the iron and steel manu-
(, featuring centre of the country will, in
e decade, be located in Southwest Virginia
i as it is recognized by those capable 0
Judging, who have investigated the miner
o al resources of that section, there is II
e where else so many valuable and endurin
L advantages for the manufacture OF chea
S iron and steel.
l. The recent determination of the Norfol
: and Western Railroad to complete tb
it. Cripple Creek branch, will, too, penetrat
IS the lead bearing region, and this with tn
e zinc and copper mines which exist alon
n the line will be so much more added
r, the attractions for capital and populatio
e which the iron fields already offer.
is With such basis upon which to built
it it is no wonder that "boomo has struc
E. Southwest Virginia. and is there to sta
e. There is nothing in the probabilities I
I'd the future to arrest it or abate. the ard'
f. of the people in the faith they baye in tt
ID eat prosperity which lies before them.